BY WILL POLADIAN, SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
St. Bonaventure men’s and women’s swim teams traveled to Ithaca, New York to take on Cornell this weekend, falling 156-87 and 144-92 respectively.
On the men’s side, the Bonnies were able to pick up four event wins. Two wins by senior Alec Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:42.38 and the 200- backstroke with a time of 1:54.64. The two other wins came at the hands of freshman Alexander Behr and Lucas Dekaney. Behr won the 200- butterfly with a time of 1:53.42. Dekaney won the 3-meter dive with a score of 319.13 which gives him his first collegiate victory. His fellow diver, freshman Zyad Morsy would finish third in the 3-meter with a score of 293.18 and second in the 1-meter dive with a score of 276.23.
In the 1000-freestyle, sophomore Maxwell Murray finished second with a time of 9:50.24 while freshman Knute Wargin finished third with a time of 9:58.09. In the 200-breaststroke junior Nicholas Nakaya placed second with a time of 2:11.51. The Bonnies would grab two more third-place finishes with senior George Kalletta with a time of 1:56.90 in 200-IM and junior Joshua Bannon with a time of 4:53.03 in the 500-freestyle. The 200-freestyle relay team would take home second place.
On the women’s side, five Bonnies were able to secure a victory. Two would come at the hands of senior Rachel Kimmel in the 200-yard IM and 200-breaststroke with times of 2:08.43 and 2:18.81 respectively. Senior Zanre Oberholzer picked up a win in the 200-backstroke with a time of 2:05.21. In the 50-freestyle, freshman Halle Myers picked up a win with a time of 24.58. The final victory was awarded to freshman Silvana Cabrera with a time of 2:05.21. Cabrera also placed fourth in the 200-IM with a time of 2:13.71.
Sophomore Amy O’Rourke placed second in the 100-freestyle with a time of 53.86 and placed fourth in the 200-freestyle with a time of 2:00.28. Freshman Maggie Holst finished third in the 200-backstroke with a time 2:09.36. Holst also finished third in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 11:16.00. Freshman Ellie Kraus finished fourth in this event with a time of 11:20.17. The 200-medley relay team would end up finishing second with a time of 1:48.44.
Morsy believes that the team did well and that he needs to improve.
“It was really good meet for everyone on the team and for me I did well, but I still have to be better in the upcoming meets,” said Morsy.
Behr says the team did well for what they were dealing with.
“We did our best for how many people were sick,” said Behr. “Most of us were very focused and wanted to win and that’s what I really liked. My performance was okay. I won the 200 fly in a new season-best and tried to do in competition what I’m working on in practice.”
The team is in a good position, Morsy believes when asked about the ways the team could improve.
“I think that we are good for now,” said Morsey.
Behr believes that there is time to improve and that health is most important.
“It’s still early in the season so there is a lot of training in front of us, where we can work on the technique and other important details,” said Behr. “The most important thing is staying healthy and safe so we can steadily improve.”
Morsy has high hopes and goals for the next meet.
“I’m looking to get the first place in both boards the next meet,” said Morsy.
Behr is looking to improve for the meets ahead.
“Improving my times, turns and race strategy for a perfect race at A10,” said Behr.
Morsy wants to put Bonas on top and is proud of where he is.
“I’m so proud to be part of this team and I will do my best to make [the] Bonnies the top place in diving,” said Morsy.
Behr believes that this team is a great experience for him.“It is such a great experience,” said Behr. “Working and practicing with people that are dedicated and are willing to improve even if it hurts. The team spirit that pushes you even if you think you can’t move anymore is really special in this team.”
poladiwj20@bonaventure.edu
